Camden, NJ vs Lakewood, NJ

The cost of living difference between Camden, NJ and Lakewood, NJ is dramatic. Camden is 43.5% cheaper than Lakewood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Camden has a cost index of 79 while Lakewood sits at 140, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Camden is $1,157/month compared to $1,647/month in Lakewood — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Camden is more affordable at $100,400 median vs $618,400.

Median household income in Camden is $40,450 compared to $57,576 in Lakewood (-29.7%). The higher salaries in Lakewood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Camden spend roughly 34.3% of their income on rent, less than the 34.3% in Lakewood. The Lakewood ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.